Leader Publications

Audrey J. Phillips, 85, of Lakeshore Drive, Niles, died at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 at her home of natural causes.

She was born Sept. 5, 1924 in Three Oaks, Mich. to C. Floyd and Marie (Briggs) Heckathorn, and graduated from Three Oaks High School. She has lived in Niles since 1946.

Audrey was employed at the former Schmidt Packing Co. on Front Street in Niles, and at the former National Food Stores (now Harding’s Friendly Market).

She was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles. She enjoyed fishing from her home on Barron Lake, flower gardening, her pet cat, “Elmo,” and caring for her grandchildren.

In February 1946 in Three Oaks, she was married to Charles H. Wilken, who died Sept. 18, 1959. Later, on Nov. 2, 1968 in Niles, she married Richard E. Phillips, who survives.

Also surviving are daughters Judith Ann (Terry) Fritz, of Niles, Sandra Lea Snider, of Safety Harbor, Fla., Mari Ellen (David A.) Thomas, of Trenton, Mich., and Carol Jean (Richard) Beavo, Dale Ann Lintz and Tamela Phyllis Ann Phillips, all of Niles; grandchildren, Nathan J. Fritz, Daysha (Ben) Amster, Wendy J (Joe) Culver, Jennifer M. (Bill) Bailey, Christopher A. (Amber) Thomas, Steven C. (Toni) Thomas, Kari (Mark) Schulte, Lori (Brad) Arnold, Amy (David) Carroll, Christopher Beavo, Wendy (Dale) Timmons, Shawna Lintz, Meghan Audrey Marie Phillips and Katelyn Phillips; great-grandchildren, Hailey Amster, Faith Culver, Ava Culver, Charles Culver, Jillian  Michaels, Julia Michaels, Caitlin Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Tara Thomas, Jack Thomas, James Weninger, Alex Arnold, Addison Carroll, Ashley Carroll, John Davis Jr., Dakota Davis, Mikala Turnock and Tony Turnock; a sister, Marjorie Appello, of Pompano Beach, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Audrey was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tonya Lintz, and by Audrey’s twin ssiter, Beverly Cutler.

The funeral service for Audrey J. Phillips will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett, of the church, officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Contributions in memory of Audrey may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church Senior Luncheon Program, or to the Cass County Animal Shelter.